Wednesday, 19 February 2014

Deciding on how I want each of my panels to look. Simple lineart was too boring and the greyscale shading gave it a bit more life, but I'm leaning towards the sepia-like textured shading at the end, likehow I've been doing the character concepts. Especially as this story is focusing on the past, I think it gives an old feeling to it and it isn't too bland.

Visitor of the old circus museum that’s closing down. Was
once a performer of the Hengler Circus over forty years ago, and part of the
trapeze artist duo; the “Burch Brothers”. Partner was not actually his brother
but a childhood friend and “blood brother”. Was less recognized than his
partner.

The one to introduce the grappling hook into their act,
which later resulted in the death of his partner. After the accident he ran
away from his circus life and for over forty years he lived with his guilt.

Found out about the exhibit about the “Burch accident” at
the museum and decided it was his last chance to finally find closure.

Security Guard
Biography:

Early 30’s

Typical security uniform

Works at the circus museum. Approaches the old man when he
visits. Very knowledgeable regarding the “Burch accident”.

Don “Burch”
Burchfield

Trapeze Artist

Eldest of the duo “the Burch Brothers”

Childhood friend of his partner

Victim in the “Burch accident”

Partnered with Dan for this “Burch Brothers” act in the
Hengler troupe. The more popular of the two, which he wasn’t aware of. Was
originally very weary of the idea of introducing the grappling hook into their
act but in the end accepted Dan’s choice.

During the performance the hook detached and his partner was
unable to catch him, and he fell to his death.

Saturday, 8 February 2014

After years of suffering, it’s time for an old man to visit
his past and accept his mistakes.

Step by Step Outline:

PART 1 –
REMINISCENCE

Old man visits closing down circus museum.

Stops at one particular display which has an old
newspaper clipping, leotards, pictures and a grappling hook.

Security guard walks by and comments on the “tragic
accident”, and the old man wearily nods in agreement.

After a while of staring at the display, the camera
zooms into the newspaper clipping and flashback ensues.

PART 2 – THE ACCIDENT

Two young men in leotards surrounded by
photographers, one looking less pleased with his partner.

Jumps to a discussion between the two in their
caravan; the displeased one from before excitedly telling his partner of his
new “idea” for their act – the older one looking uncomfortable and unsure about
it.

Finally agrees to his partner’s ideas; camera
shows that the other was holding a grappling hook.

Night of performance; the half who introduced
the idea to his partner launches the grappling hook and swings across.

All is going well until after a short while when
the eldest of the duo takes his next turn with the grappling hook – the hook
comes loose and the younger fails to catch his partner as they cross.

The other falls – blacks out.

PART 3 - CLOSURE

Back to the old man, pained as he remembers, his
hand is touching the picture of the two young men together.

The older man in the photo is grinning up and
him, which startles the old man as he doesn't remember the photo being like
that.

Tears in his eyes, he smiles softly at the
photo.

He tilts his hat and walks away from the display
and out the museum; finally finding his closure.

Friday, 7 February 2014

Thief in a museum, actually a trapeze artist so
able to move about with a lot of ease to avoid security guard.

Uses a grappling
hook for entry and escape.

Found this idea too generic so
didn’t develop any further.

Idea 2:

Museum dedicated to circuses, one of the displays has an old yellowing newspaper clipping and rusting grappling hook with it.

The story with the newspaper clipping describes a horrific accident at a popular troupe's performance, and all that's left of them is this report, name completely tarnished because of the accident.

Idea 3 (Further development on no.2):

Old man visits a closing down museum dedicated
to circuses, and stares at an old display case with a newspaper clipping.

Displayed with it there’s leotards, photographs and a rusting grappling hook.

The newspaper headline tells of a horrific accident at a popular troupe’s
performance, and a flashback ensues of the fateful night where a duo introduces
a new part to their performance, a grappling hook – which results in the
performance going wrong and causing casualties and also the death of one of the
duo.

Revealed that the old man is the survivor of the duo and wanted closure
after so long.

Thursday, 6 February 2014

Went with the traditional leotard male performers wear whilst performing. I wanted to throw in a mix of training outfits (first two) and performance outfits (last four, which are more glamerous. Three more character design sets to post up after this~